Athletes and coaches must recognize the psychological aspect
to sports-related performance and its influence over the ability to train,
prepare and execute. The following discussion explores some of the mental
factors that are associated with and contribute to the complex nature of sports
psychology.
Intrinsic Motivation
The concept of intrinsic motivation is a fundamental belief
in a person's own abilities and competencies which compels him to be a
self-starter. An athlete who has a strong sense of intrinsic motivation is more
likely to be in control of his own training regimen and strongly associates
success in his sport with a sense of accomplishment and skill. While the state
of a person's intrinsic motivation is often the product of years of psychological
development and conditioning, by making a determined effort to enhance a
person's own level of self-motivation, a desirable psychological state can be
achieved and may result in the acquisition of the mental skills necessary to
excel in performance of his sport.
Achievement
Motivation
Psychological theory suggests that all people have opposing
personality traits within themselves in regards to personal motivation. These
opposing traits consist of the motive to achieve success and the motive to
avoid failure. It has been stated that athletes who are motivated to achieve
success are drawn to sports and situations that are either challenging or
uncertain, with a 50% probability of success. On the other hand, athletes who
are motivated to avoid failure are more inclined to participate in sports or
situations that are either very easy or very difficult, as the expectation to
succeed is low. Motive to avoid failure is closely tied to a person's desire to
protect his ego and self-esteem, whereas motive to achieve success more
appropriately demonstrates a genuine desire to win and dominate a sport or
situation.
Arousal
The National Strength and Conditioning Association defines
arousal as the intensity dimension of behavior and physiology. Simply stated,
it is how "psyched up" a person is at any given time. Arousal is
always present at some level, depending upon variables such as current
activity, the presence of positive or negative feelings about a current state
or environment, and motivational influences and desires. In fact, Dr. Fredrick
C. Hatfield lists arousal as one of the primary psychological factors that
contributes to the successful pursuit of developing muscle mass. By carefully
focusing on a task or movement as it relates to sports performance, and
mentally managing psychological resources such as motivation and incentive, the
athlete can produce a mental environment that can synergistically interact with
physical conditioning to produce optimal athletic performance.
Incentive
Psychologists David Burch and Joseph Veroff composed
literature that examined and identified major incentive systems that compel a
person to succeed in immediate goal-oriented activity. Dr. Frederick C.
Hatfield, affectionately known as Dr. Squat in bodybuilding and power lifting
circles, outlined some of Burch and Veroff's findings in published literature
and listed incentive as another one of the most influential psychological
factors involved in training for the development of muscle mass. Dr. Hatfield,
world-record-setting power lifter and founder of personal training
certification program ISSA, examined several of these incentive systems as they
apply to the athlete.
Affiliation Incentive
For athletes who compete in team sports or train in a
setting that involves feedback and interaction with others, affiliation
incentive may be one of the most powerful types of motivation, as this
incentive construct emphasizes the human desire for recognition and
reassurance. Many athletes may not consider this particular type of incentive
as one most dominant players in their psychological state, however the roll of
affiliation incentive, arousal and level of achievement motivation must not be
ignored in an examination of psychological influences in athletic performance.
Power Incentive
Like that of affiliation incentive, power incentive relates
directly to the human desire for recognition, peer acceptance, status and
prestige. An athlete's physical ability and performance is greatly determined
by the level of power incentive and its relationship to motive to avoid failure
and level of arousal. Self-evaluation of a person's own motivational and
incentive influences is a critical aspect to harnessing the potential power of
each and focusing psychological resources on sport domination.
Excellence in athletic performance is a result of an
integrated approach to sound nutritional principles, dedicated training, and
strategic mental and psychological conditioning. Only after consideration is
given to the powerful influence of the mind's capabilities can an athlete
achieve true athletic greatness.
Also Read:
No comments:
Post a Comment